The Tecno Pova 6 Neo and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$250 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The Pova 6 Neo prioritizes raw processing power with the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate, while the Honor X9b focuses on efficiency and a balanced feature set with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around efficiency and a smoother software experience, the Honor X9b emerges as the better choice. Its 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers superior thermal management and power efficiency, translating to longer sustained performance and potentially better battery life, despite the Pova 6 Neo's slightly faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 04 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front | - |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 76.6 x 9.2 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, 580 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14, HIOS 14 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Silver, Speed Black, Comet Green | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | - | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | - | About 970 EUR |
Tecno Pova 6 Neo
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance for demanding tasks.
- Aggressive pricing likely makes it more affordable.
- Faster charging speed (marginally).
- 6nm process may lead to higher temperatures and throttling.
- Less efficient chipset compared to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1.
- Likely less refined software experience.
Honor X9b
- More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset.
- Reverse wired charging for added convenience.
- Potentially better sustained performance due to thermal efficiency.
- Generally smoother software experience.
- Slightly lower peak CPU performance compared to the Pova 6 Neo.
- May be slightly more expensive.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level display, but details are lacking to make a direct comparison. Both will likely feature LCD panels given the price point. However, the absence of information regarding refresh rates, peak brightness, and color gamut makes a definitive assessment impossible. The focus here will be on the core processing power.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, it’s reasonable to assume both phones will feature multi-camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) makes it difficult to assess image quality. The focus will likely be on software processing to enhance photos, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s image signal processor (ISP) generally offers more advanced capabilities than those found in MediaTek’s Helio series.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Pova 6 Neo’s MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate, built on a 6nm process, features a dual-core Cortex-A76 setup alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, peaking at 2.2 GHz. The Honor X9b utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, fabricated on a more efficient 4nm node, with a quad-core Cortex-A78 configuration and four Cortex-A55 cores, also clocked at 2.2 GHz. While both have similar peak clock speeds, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s newer architecture and smaller process node provide a significant advantage in sustained performance and thermal efficiency. The A78 cores in the Snapdragon are demonstrably more powerful than the A76 cores in the Helio G99 Ultimate, leading to better multitasking and responsiveness. The 4nm process also means less heat generation, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Tecno Pova 6 Neo supports 33W wired charging, while the Honor X9b offers 35W wired charging *and* reverse wired charging. While the difference in charging wattage is minimal, the inclusion of reverse wired charging on the Honor X9b is a notable convenience feature, allowing it to charge other devices. The actual 0-100% charging time will depend on battery capacity (which is currently unknown), but the 35W charging should provide a slight edge to the Honor X9b. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s superior power efficiency could also translate to longer battery life in real-world usage, offsetting any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova 6 Neo if you need maximum CPU performance for demanding tasks like emulation or consistently high frame rates in graphically intensive games, and are willing to accept potentially shorter battery life. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a more balanced experience with a focus on efficiency, smoother multitasking, and a more refined user interface, even if it means sacrificing a small amount of peak CPU power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 Ultimate in the Tecno Pova 6 Neo overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The 6nm process and the nature of the Helio G99 Ultimate suggest it *could* experience thermal throttling during extended gaming. While the phone may initially deliver high frame rates, performance may drop over time as the chipset heats up. The Honor X9b’s 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is significantly less prone to this issue.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b offer a noticeable improvement in multitasking compared to the Helio G99 Ultimate?
Yes, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s Cortex-A78 cores are more powerful and efficient than the Helio G99 Ultimate’s Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to smoother app switching, faster loading times, and a more responsive overall user experience, especially when running multiple applications simultaneously.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging feature on the Honor X9b useful in everyday scenarios?
Absolutely. Reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches when you're away from a power outlet. It can also be a lifesaver for friends or family who need a quick battery boost.
